Course Correction Studio

Tag: Captain Picard

  • Sweetest Sin – Chapter 9. Scratch

    When Dani materialized in the Enterprise’s transporter room, familiar faces awaited her. Captain Picard, Will Riker, Counselor Troi, Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay all watched on eagerly as Dani’s form solidified. She had hardly taken one step off the transporter pad when her parents engulfed her. It was as if they were in too much of a hurry to even take turns. Both of them embraced her at the same time.

    “Welcome home,” Chakotay said, a huge grin on his face.

    “You don’t know how relieved we are to have you back,” Kathryn beamed.

    “It’s good to be back, “Dani said, with a little smile. It was the truth. It was nice to be back in a place where the majority of the population didn’t hate you. She’d had two days to grieve for Dukat and look at the situation more objectively while being transported to Federation space. While she knew it would be a long while before she would be over Dukat, she was no longer in the state of shock she’d been in the night her life had changed – again.

    Dani looked from her parents to Captain Picard, Will and Deanna. “Captain,” she greeted.

    “Lieutenant,” Picard said. “I told you we would find a way to get you home.”

    “I know,” Dani said. She silently wished that they wouldn’t have been successful. Living among Cardassians hadn’t exactly been the highest point in her life, but she would gladly return if it meant she could have Dukat back. How ironic that the decision she had dreaded making months ago was now crystal clear. She looked up at Picard, trying her best to look happy, but feeling somehow that she was failing. “I never doubted that you or anyone else here would keep trying.”

    Picard smiled gently. “Welcome home, Lieutenant.”

    “Thank you, sir,” Dani said.

    Deanna had watched the interaction between Dani and her parents and now watched the exchange between the woman and the captain. What she found odd about the entire ordeal was that she didn’t pick up any sense of elation or joy from Dani. On the contrary, there was an overall sadness about the lieutenant that seemed out of place for someone who was returning home from captivity.

    Picard continued. “We’ll be on a course to Earth within the hour,” he informed Dani. “Starfleet wants to debrief you as soon as possible.”

    Dani nodded. She’d expected that. In fact, she’d been preparing for it and would continue to prepare for it until the Enterprise arrived at Earth.

    “Right now, I suspect that you want to see your quarters again,” Picard surmised.

    “Yes, sir,” Dani said.

    “Very well. I’ll let Will escort you.”

    Dani nodded and turned to her parents. “Let’s have dinner later on, okay?” she suggested.

    “Whatever you want to do,” Kathryn said.

    Dani smiled and turned to Will next. “After you,” he said, gesturing to the door. Dani led the way out of the transporter room.

    “How was your trip?” Will asked once they’d left the others.

    “It was fine – considering … ” Dani said. Her trip from Cardassia had been uneventful, even peaceful, providing her much time for reflection. The others on the little ship left her to herself in her little cabin, which was the way she’d wanted it.

    “Dani,” Will began, “what happened was not supposed to happen.” He felt the need to speak on the matter, even though he expected it would still be a touchy subject for her. “Killing Dukat was never part of the plan.” Will, along with Captain Picard and Admiral Necheyev, had received a report on what had transpired on Cardassia’s surface. Will, who had held a crucial role in the planning of the rescue attempt, had never called for Dukat’s murder. He knew that doing so would have crushed Dani. But somehow, it had happened anyway, and it was obvious, at least to him, that Dani was having a difficult time dealing with it. “You were supposed to leave Cardassia, but Dukat was supposed to be remain alive.”

    “Well, that isn’t the way it happened, is it?” Dani reminded him. She didn’t see the use in him telling her what should have happened. It wouldn’t make any difference. “Dukat’s dead, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

    She and Will walked into a waiting turbolift. He hated that she was so upset. She wasn’t outwardly angry or sad, but inside was a different story. There was something in her voice and her eyes that was painfully melancholy. “Do you want to talk to someone about this? Deanna maybe?” he asked after giving the lift its command. The car began to move.

    “I think that would be a good idea,” Dani admitted. “There’s a lot I’m trying to cope with right now. I know that I can trust her.”

    The lift doors opened after a short ride. “I’ll have her meet you in your quarters at whatever time is convenient for you.”

    Dani nodded. She and Will walked to her quarters in silence. When they reached her door, Dani input the code, which she initially thought she’d forgotten. The doors slid open and she walked in, finding that the area was as she had left it. A little smile couldn’t help but come to her lips. The place was a mess.

    A little box sat in the middle of the floor. It was the only new addition to the room, but Dani knew exactly what it was. She quickly walked over to it and opened the grated door at its front. Sherlock scurried out to Dani and began to lick her face in his customary fashion.

    Will looked on, a surprised expression on his face. “Who’s this?” he asked.

    Dani looked up at him, smiling. “This is Sherlock. He was a gift.” She picked up the little dog and walked over to Will with it. “Sherlock, meet Will Riker. Will Riker – Sherlock.”

    “Very pleased to meet you,” Will said, delivering a nice scratch to the crown of the dog’s head. He looked at Dani. “I can’t wait ’til Data hears what you named him.”

    “Actually, I didn’t name it,” Dani revealed. “I think he already had the name when Dukat got it from the trader.” Dani bent down and the dog jumped from her arms onto the floor. When she stood upright again, she saw that Will seemed to be studying her, trying to assess her appearance. “What?”

    “How do you feel?” he asked.

    “What? You mean physically?”

    “Yeah.” It didn’t seem to Will that pregnancy was having that much of an effect on Dani’s physique. If he’d calculated correctly, she was supposed to be over three months along. Maybe Cardassian growth rates were different from humans.

    Dani looked at him oddly for a moment before it became clear to her why he was so concerned about her health. “Will, I’m not going to have a baby,” she told him regretfully. “I lost it a few weeks back.”

    “Oh, Dani. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

    “I don’t know.” She walked over and sat on the couch. “The doctor has been trying to pinpoint what the problem was, but he doesn’t really know, either.”

    “I’m sorry to hear that.” Will walked over and sat beside Dani. “You would have made a great mother.”

    Dani smiled unexpectedly. “You know, you saying that reminds me of that conversation we had about kids. Back before I left? I said that kids were a long way off into my future and that I didn’t want to pass on my messed up genes anyway.” She let out a little laugh. “It’s funny – who knew that that far off future would only be a few months away?” She looked at Will, her smile fading. “What are people saying about us? What all do they know?”

    “I haven’t made any kind of elaborate announcement, if that’s what you mean,” Will said. “I think everyone pretty much assumed that the plans for the wedding were on hold once the news about Starr broke. Then, after our meeting, I sent out a mass message to let everyone know officially that the wedding was off.”

    Dani nodded. “That’s good. I hate to think about what might have happened if thousands of people showed up for a wedding that wasn’t going to happen anymore.”

    Will chuckled. “You have to admit – it would be kind of funny, wouldn’t it? Kind of like the ultimate practical joke.”

    Dani laughed, too, an image of the whole scenario popping into her head. “Yeah.”

    The door chime interrupted them. “Come in,” Dani said. The doors slid open, and Deanna Troi walked in. Dani and Will stood.

    “I just came by to see how you were settling back in,” Deanna said with a smile.

    “Okay,” Dani said. She managed to return Deanna’s smile. “It’s a little strange. I feel like I’ve been gone for years, but it’s only been a couple of months. It’s nice being back.”

    “I thought you might like to talk,” Deanna said, testing the waters.

    Will took this as a cue for him to make his exit. “I’ll leave you two alone,” he said, beginning to make his way to the door.

    Dani called to him before he could leave, though. When he turned and looked at her, she said, “I’d really appreciate it if you would stay.”

    The request caught Will by surprise, and he glanced at Deanna briefly. “Okay. I’ll stay, if you want.”

    “I do, if you don’t mind,” Dani said.

    “You know I don’t.” He walked back over to the couch.

    Dani looked to Deanna. “Won’t you sit down?” She watched as the counselor sat in a chair next to the couch. “I’m sorry about the mess,” Dani said, sitting back down on the couch, Will also reclaiming his seat beside her. “I haven’t exactly gotten around to cleaning, yet. When I left, I was sort of in a hurry … “

    “It’s quite all right,” Deanna assured her. “Sometimes, a little disorder is a good thing.”

    “Don’t I know it?” Dani said. “It seems like every time my life seems to get a little order in it, something happens to disrupt it.”

    “Why don’t you tell me about that?” Deanna suggested.

    Dani looked at Will and then back at Deanna. Before she went any further, she had to make sure she knew the rules that were going to apply here. “Everything I tell you is confidential, right?” Dani asked. “You can’t go back and tell Captain Picard or Admiral Nechayev what I said?”

    “Everything that is said here stays here,” Deanna said. “I’m here to help you; not betray your trust.”

    Dani nodded. “Then there’s something you have to know before I tell you anything about what’s happened over the last three months.”

    “Okay. Go ahead.”

    Dani sighed deeply. “First of all, I feel like the biggest fraud in the universe,” she said.

    “A fraud? Why would you feel like that?”

    “Because what Hea Starr told you wasn’t exactly the truth about what happened,” Dani began to explain. “Well, it’s the truth as he saw it, but he didn’t see what he thought he saw. I didn’t choose to remain on Cardassia because I thought it would ensure his freedom; I stayed because I wanted to be with Dukat.” Her eyes looked up at the ceiling. She couldn’t believe she was actually volunteering this information. “I couldn’t pass up another opportunity to be with him, so I basically turned my back on everything I knew. But Starr saw me do it, and he must’ve thought … the point is, everyone thinks I’m this hero, but I’m not. I’m just a selfish deserter.”

    “Dani, it isn’t selfish to want to be with someone you love,” Deanna said.

    “I know, but duty was supposed to come first, over anything else, and I ignored that. I shouldn’t even be in Starfleet anymore. Do you know that what I did is grounds for a court-martial? People have been let go for a lot less.”

    “You can’t beat yourself up about that,” Deanna comforted. “You didn’t have any control over what Starr thought.”

    “I could correct it, though,” Dani said.

    Deanna realized what Dani was offering to do. She didn’t think it was a very wise course of action, considering that it would probably effectively end her Starfleet career. “If that’s what it takes for you to be happy with yourself, then that’s what you should do,” Deanna advised. “But you should only do it if it’s going to make you feel better about yourself. Don’t do it because you think other people will respect you for it.”

    Dani nodded. In all actuality, she had contemplated telling the truth about the nature of her purpose on Cardassia. But ultimately, she’d decided against it. What purpose would it serve now that everything was said and done?

    “I have something else I need to tell you,” Dani said. “It’s something that you probably need to know to counsel me effectively, I guess. I was pregnant … but I miscarried. The father was Dukat.”

    “Dani … ” Deanna trailed. The woman really had been through a lot.

    “No, wait. There’s one more thing I want to say before you say anything else,” Dani said. “I loved him. With every fiber of my being. But if it meant that he could be alive today, I would have never chosen to stay on Cardassia with him.” She choked up and had to stop for a moment. “Excuse me. I’m sorry,” she said, once she had regained her composure. “I’ve come to realize that the reason he is dead today is me. If I had never gone to Prime, there would have been no rescue attempt. And he’d be alive.”

    Xxx

    Jean-Luc Picard was standing at his replicator sipping on a fresh, steamy mug of Earl Gray tea when his ready room door chimed. “Come,” he beckoned. The doors slid open and his ship’s counselor sauntered in. “Counselor – what can I do for you?”

    “I’ve just had a meeting with Dani Janeway,” Deanna said.

    Picard walked from around his desk and settled into one of the chairs across the room. Deanna claimed the small sofa across from him. “How is she?” Picard inquired.

    “Not good,” Deanna admitted.

    “Oh, dear,” Picard said. He had suspected as much earlier when Janeway had first transported aboard. She’d seemed a little out of sorts for a person being reunited with her family. “What seems to be the problem?”

    “Dani is dealing with a lot of emotions at the moment,” Deanna said. She wanted to give the captain a good idea of what was going on with one of his officers, but at the same time, she didn’t want to reveal anything Dani had been adamant about keeping secret. “I can’t go into much detail, but she’s dealing with guilt, grief, loss. She’s trying to hold it together on the outside, but I’m afraid she won’t be able to keep it up much longer. If she doesn’t get some rest soon, there could be some serious emotional damage.”

    Picard leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs. He could order the counselor to tell him the cause of these feelings Janeway was having, but he knew Deanna wasn’t one to talk about her patients. He could only guess at what, or who, was at the root of these feelings, but he had more than an inkling about what was going on. “Counselor, have you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome?”

    Deanna thought for a minute. That name sounded familiar … then it came to her. “Yes, sir,” she said. “That’s a condition that hostages sometimes develop. They begin to identify with their captors. In extreme cases, the hostages no longer wish to be free and actually want to join the people who abducted them.”

    “That’s right,” Picard said. “Could that possibly be an explanation for Janeway’s condition?” He knew that wasn’t it. But it would offer ample explanation. Especially to Starfleet Command and Headquarters.

    Deanna’s eyebrows rose. It was an avenue she’d never considered … until now. “Yes, sir. I do believe that could explain why Dani has been taking Legate Dukat’s death so hard.”

    “I see … ” Picard said. “And what would be your recommendation on a course of action for Lt. Janeway?”

    “I recommend that she take a medical leave of absence. Immediately. She needs time to recover from this. It’s all been very traumatic for her. I would say she needs at least six months away from active duty, but I suspect it will take her much longer to get completely over this. There’s no guarantee that she will ever be completely over it.”

    “I hear that isn’t unusual for sufferers of Stockholm syndrome,” Picard commented.

    “Not at all, sir,” Deanna replied.

    “Well, then. Make out your report and include diagnosis and treatment suggestions,” Picard said. “I’ll send my recommendations along with yours. I’ll see to it that Lt. Janeway’s leave begins as soon after the debriefing as possible.” He stood, as did Deanna. “Dismissed.”

    Deanna nodded, wondering on the way out if this whole Stockholm business was just a coincidence or if the captain knew more than he’d let on.

    Picard walked back around to his desk. He’d hated that this had all turned out so bittersweet. They’d gotten their people back, but at what cost? The emotional well being of one of his officers? Damn that Nechayev for sending Janeway to Cardassia in the first place. She’d known what she was doing when she’d handed down that assignment. Anything to catch Janeway in the middle of something that would get her kicked out of the ‘Fleet. But Picard had something for the woman that he knew she would never have anticipated. A little-known, nearly forgotten condition that he’d happened to come across in some recent research. The funny part was that any doctor who examined Dani Janeway would probably come to the same ‘conclusion’ he and his ship’s counselor had come to, and there wouldn’t be a thing Nechayev could do about it. The miracles of medicine …

  • Return to Normal – Chapter 5

    Dani awoke the next morning in Will’s arms. The alarm that had ripped her from her peaceful slumber was still blaring. “Computer, alarm off,” she said groggily. The alarm ceased and the room was blanketed in silence. “Computer, time.”

    “The time is 0700 hours, two minutes, 24 seconds,” the computer chimed.

    Dani sighed. “Will,” she said. “Will?” Will groaned. “Will, it’s time to get up,” Dani said in a sing-song voice.

    “No reminder needed, thanks,” he said, struggling to open his eyes.

    Dani sat up and looked over her shoulder at a yawning Will. He rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times to clear his vision. Slightly dazed blue eyes stared up at Dani as she leaned over and kissed their owner.

    “Mm…” Will moaned. He wrapped his arms around Dani’s waist and pulled her closer. “We’ve got time for just a quick one, don’t we?” he asked.

    “No, no, no,” Dani said, pulling away from Will. “Time is ticking.” She snorted. “I would’ve never thought I would ever be more concerned about the time than you are.” She sat up. “I’ve got to go shower.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood.

    “Mind if I join you?” Will asked, rising to a reclining position on the bed.

    Dani pretended to ponder over the decision. “Hmm…it would save time.” She looked at him. He was so cute when he woke up in the morning. His hair was disheveled, sticking out every which way, and a slightly sleepy gaze still graced his blue eyes. She realized then just how much she’d truly missed him these last few months.

    “Come on,” Dani said, inviting Will to join her in the bathroom. Will smiled and didn’t waste any time in following. As he was following her, he noticed the little triangular mark on her lower back. Her very lower back.

    “What is this?” Will asked. “I’ve never seen it before.” He hadn’t noticed it last night or any other time before that.

    “What?” Dani asked, as she turned on the sonic shower.

    “This,” Will said touching the little design at the base of her back.

    Dani looked over her shoulder and down at the spot Will’s finger was touching. “Oh. It’s just a tattoo.”

    “A tattoo?” Will repeated. Was she trying to be funny? “I can see that,” he said. “What is it of?”

    Dani turned and faced Will. “You have seen it before,” she insisted.

    Now, Will was downright confused. He’d seen Dani naked about a million times, and he’d never seen that mark on her before.

    Dani, deciding to finally put an end to Will’s confusion, told him what he wanted to know. “It’s the mark of my father’s people. It’s the same mark that’s on my dad’s forehead.”

    His curiosity piqued, Will turned Dani around and kneeled to have a better look at his new discovery. It was the same mark that he’d seen on Chakotay’s forehead. He traced it lightly with his finger, causing Dani to giggle a bit. He rose to his feet, and she turned around to face him once again.

    “When did this happen?” Will asked.

    “The night of the Academy graduation,” she replied. “I had a little too much to drink and had a Klingon buddy of mine draw it on for me.”

    At this confession, Will’s eyebrows rose in amusement. A grin instantly appeared on his face. “You? Drunk?”

    Dani ignored Will and the turn he was taking with that last comment. She instead turned her attention back to the sonic shower.

    “How long has it been since you had a real water shower?” Will asked her as he changed the shower from the sonic setting to water.

    Dani leaned back against the vanity and thought. “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s probably been a few years.”

    Will stepped up to her. “Too long,” he said, moving in and kissing her deeply. She gently pulled away from him and stepped into the shower. She held out her hand for him. He took it and joined her inside the little stall. She kissed him again and realized she didn’t care where this would lead to.

    Will steered her into the stream of falling water droplets. The surprise of the forgotten sensation made her yelp.

    “Don’t worry,” Will said, smiling. “Water doesn’t bite. But I do.” Dani smiled. The sensation of the water on her skin had a therapeutic effect, and it was evident by the relaxed expression on her face. “This is why I prefer water showers,” Will said.

    Dani smiled again and played with the dark, damp hair on his head. “There’s no cleansing agent,” she observed. “You have to provide your own soap, don’t you?”

    “You could do that,” Will said. “Or you could just tell the computer to add it for you. Computer, add cleansing agent number 33 to the water, please.” The computer chirped as it complied.

    “I didn’t know you could do that,” Dani said, with wonder. Almost immediately, she began to notice a difference in the texture of the water. It became more like an oil. A sweet citrus scent invaded her nostrils as she looked down at the floor of the shower and saw that a slightly foamy lather had formed.

    “Is that better?” Will asked.

    Xxx

    When Will and Dani went on duty at 0800 hours, the Enterprise had arrived at Garessa II, a large, uninhabited M-class planet. The Enterprise was currently on a survey mission of recently charted star systems. The away teams’ assignments were of a variable nature, from simple science surveys of the mineral and metallurgic make-up of the planets to tactical surveys of the layout of the planets and their possible uses as Federation bases or colonies. Garessa II was one of these survey planets.

    “Will, I think it’s an honor to be sitting in on the senior staff mission briefing,” Dani said. She and Will were on their way to the observation lounge. “But I don’t understand my purpose for being present.”

    “All I know is that the captain wants you there, so you will be,” Will said.

    They both walked through the doors of the observation lounge. Will took his customary seat in the chair beside the captain, who was always at the head of the table.

    Captain Picard sniffed. The air around him had taken on a mildly fruity flavor just as Will had sat down. Picard looked at his Number One. “Is that a new cologne, Number One?” he asked.

    Will froze. He’d already forgotten about that aspect of the shower he’d shared with Dani earlier that morning. Next time, he’d have to pay more attention to the scent of the soap before he chose it. He looked at the captain, intending to reply to his question, but he found that Picard’s attention was already on something else.

    Dani took a seat much further down the table. As she sat, she pondered over why she was in on this mission briefing while no other junior officers were.

    “Goodmorning, everyone,” Picard began. “As you all know…” As the captain began to explain the purpose of the mission, the methods, etc., Will allowed his mind to wonder back to the bliss of the morning he’d shared with Dani. Her body was incredible. Those long legs…he was getting excited just thinking about them.

    “…Commander?” Picard waited for Will to reply. When he didn’t, Picard called his name again. “Commander?” This brought Will out of his reverie.

    “Sorry, Captain,” he said. “My mind was…somewhere else.”

    “Let’s try to remain here and in the present, please, Commander,” Picard said, a little annoyed.

    “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Will stole a glance at Dani. She smiled and lowered her head.

    “Now, I was just saying that the away teams will be organized into groups of ten,” Picard said.

    “That’s right,” Will said. “The first two groups of ten will be the science teams. Tactical teams will follow, and after that, medical.”

    “Each group will also be accompanied by a security team,” Picard added. His eyes scanned the faces staring back at him. He stopped at Dani’s brown eyes. “Which brings me to you, Lt.” Everyone turned to look at her. “I know you’re wondering why you were summoned to take part in this briefing, Lt.” Picard said.

    “Yes, sir. It had crossed my mind,” Dani said honestly.

    “Lt. Janeway, your sole purpose on this mission will be to accompany Q to the surface.” Picard could see the puzzled, surprised, and wary looks on the faces of his officers. “If Q really is here to observe what being human is all about, I believe this would be an extremely valuable opportunity for him to observe human interactions within teams. Teamwork is the key word here.” He watched the concept sink in with his crew. He directed his attention back at Dani. “You are to be with him at all times. Understood?”

    “Yes, Captain,” Dani said. She was more than just slightly perturbed. She hadn’t transferred to the Enterprise to babysit. That was her job for this mission, as she saw it. She was to babysit Q. And she wasn’t responsible for Q, she thought sarcastically, her mind going back to the conversation she and Will had had the night before. She looked down the table at him. He was smiling.

    “Now,” the captain said, “everyone has his orders. Make it so, everyone. Dismissed.”

    Everyone stood and began to file out of the room. “Lt. Janeway, a moment, if you would, please?” Picard requested. Dani stopped and turned to face the captain. Will, who’d been on his way out, also stopped and looked at the captain. He looked at Dani again before walking out of the room, leaving her with Picard.

    “Yes, Captain?” Dani said.

    “Dani,” Picard said, taking a few steps toward her, “I know this isn’t exactly the assignment you’d like to be given, but you’re the one whom I believe best-suited for the task at hand.”

    “I understand, Captain,” Dani said.

    “I just think Q will be more likely to listen to you than anyone else aboard.”

    “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

    “I thank you for doing this, Lt.”

    Dani nodded. “You’re welcome, Captain.

    “Dismissed.”

    Dani turned and walked out of the observation lounge. Will was waiting outside the door. Before he could say anything, she spoke. “Don’t say anything,” she said, sternly.

    In the observation lounge, Picard noticed that after Dani left, there remained the scent of citrus fruit. He sniffed. Yes, that was it. Orange or tangerine, it smelled like. He wondered what this new-found affinity for fruit-scented colognes and perfumes was. First, Number One, then Dani. Who was next? Data?

    Xxx

    The first away team materialized on the planet’s surface amid conditions akin to those in paradise. Dani looked around. The temperature was perfect, and the sky was blue. If she hadn’t known that this was going to be a survey mission, she’d have mistaken the planet for a shoreleave planet. It was beautiful there.

    “All right, people, let’s get to work,” Will announced. “Standard away team procedures. No one goes anywhere alone.” The officers fanned out and began to conduct their surveys.

    Will tapped his comm badge. “Enterprise, this is Riker. We’re ready for the second team down here whenever you’re ready to transport.”

    “Aye, Commander,” came the tinny voice through Will’s communicator. “Stand by.”

    Dani and Q left Will and started walking toward one of the survey team pairs. The team had already ventured a good distance away, so Q and Dani, at the leisurely pace they were traveling, had a little walk ahead of them.

    “This is so humiliating,” Q said.

    “What?” Dani asked.

    “I don’t need a babysitter,” Q said defiantly.

    “You think I wanted this assignment?” Dani asked Q. “Believe me, this is not my dream job. I’d much rather be performing some of these surveys. But an order is an order, and I intend to follow it to a tee.”

    “Why? If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it.”

    “Q, there are certain things you’re going to have to learn about our society. I thought you’d already learned them from your time aboard Voyager, but apparently, you’ve forgotten them. Sometimes, you have to do things you don’t necessarily want to. You do them because there’s a bigger picture, and because it’s probably the right thing to do. You don’t disobey orders. Especially from the captain. So, here I am. Stuck with you.” The euphoric feeling Dani had first experienced after beaming down to the beautiful planet was quickly dissipating with the presence of her charge, Q.

    “Well, thank you for making me feel so welcome,” Q said flatly. “I’m honored.”

    “No,” Dani said apologetically. She was being mean to Q, and this situation wasn’t even his fault. He was just as innocent as she was. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault you’re here – it’s your father’s fault.”

    The two walked over and joined a team that consisted of Ensign Paul Milsap and Lt. Nina Carter. Milsap and Carter looked up from their work at the new arrivals.

    “Don’t mind us,” Dani said politely. “We’re just observing – if that’s all right.”

    “Of course it is, Lt,” Carter said politely.

    Meanwhile, Ensigns Eric Clements and Marta Shields were a few paces away taking soil and plant samples.

    “Is there no end to it?” Clements asked. “It isn’t enough that she’s in good with half of Starfleet’s hierarchy. No. She’s got to be in good with the Q, too. Who knows what kind of predicament she’s put us in, bringing Q’s son here? It’s only her second day, and already, I can’t stand her.”

    “Well, you can take comfort in the fact that she doesn’t have all of Starfleet in the palm of her hand,” Shields said.

    Clements looked at her. “What do you mean?”

    “There’s a rumor going around that Nechayev was this close to court-martialing her during that whole mess with Dukat,” Shields said, holding up her index finger and thumb.

    “That’s my whole point, though,” Clements said. “The only reason Nechayev didn’t go ahead and court-martial her was because she’s Dani Janeway. If it’d been anyone else, they would have been gone. If not that, they damn well wouldn’t be serving as a bridge officer on the ‘Fleet’s flagship. You know I’m telling the truth.”

    “Yeah. Well, she will have to prove herself at some point,” Shields said. “She won’t make it far on her connections alone. If she is all she’s cracked up to be, only time will tell.”

    Xxx

    An hour later, all the survey teams were down on the surface. There were about 40 people total on the surface taking surveys on the different physical aspects of the planet. Dani and Q had managed to visit at least one two-person team for each survey group, and in many circumstances, they had made it to more than one team.

    “I still don’t see the purpose in all of this,” Q said. “Why come down here and physically take samples when you’ve got the Enterprise and the ability to do all this from the ship? From where I’m sitting, this just looks like a big waste of time.”

    “Well, it’s not,” Dani said. “Believe me. Yes, we could do this all from the ship, but we get much better information if we do it first-hand. You get to see it with your own eyes and touch with your own hands, instead of letting sensors and transporters see and do for you.” She looked at Q. He still wasn’t getting it. “The point is teamwork. You’re supposed to be observing how people work together and what makes a team successful.” She looked up in time to see Will walking toward them.

    “There’s a system coming this way,” he said.

    “A bad one?” Dani asked.

    “The Enterprise sensors indicate that it’s only a line showers at this point, but it has the potential to develop into something more serious,” Will explained. “The captain has ordered that we return to the ship.”

    Dani nodded. She looked past Will at the first group of ten as they assembled and awaited transport. Will’s comm badge chirped. “Enterprise to Riker.”

    “Riker here,” Will said.

    “Stand by for transport,” the transporter technician’s voice came through Will’s communicator.

    “Standing by. Riker out.” He turned and watched as the first group of ten dematerialized. He turned back to Dani and Q. “You’ll be transporting with the last group.”

    Dani nodded. She saw the next team assemble for transport. After a few moments, the group dematerialized in the transporter stream.

    “Observe anything interesting today?” Riker asked. He smiled at her. A few paces away, the third group of ten assembled for transport. A few seconds later, they disappeared from the planet’s surface.

    Dani returned Riker’s smile. “Not lately,” she said. “But this morning…well, that’s a different story.” Riker’s smile broadened as he, along with Dani, Q, and the members of the last team assembled for their turn to transport. He tapped his comm badge. “Enterprise, this is Riker. The last team is ready for transport.”

    “Stand by, Commander,” the transporter tech replied. A moment later, the transport process began, and Dani began to feel the familiar tingling sensation associated with teleportation. A few seconds later, she, along with everyone else in their group, rematerialized and found that they were still on the planet’s surface. They all looked around, puzzled.

    Riker tapped his comm badge. “Riker to Enterprise,” he said. “What seems to be the problem. Why are we still on the surface?” There was no answer. “Enterprise, come in.” When there still was no answer, Will instinctively looked to Dani. She tried her comm badge, but got the same result that Will had.

    Xxx

    On the Enterprise, the transporter tech worked frantically to find the signals of the 10 crew members on the surface, but to no avail.

    “It’s no use, Captain,” the woman said. “There’s too much interference.”

    Xxx

    On the Bridge, Captain Picard was beginning to worry. He turned to Data, who was now second in command because of Riker’s absence.

    “Data, prepare a shuttle for launch,” Picard ordered. “It looks like we’re going to have to go in and get them.”

    “Sir, I would advise against that course of action,” Data said. “The storms approaching the location of the survey team have grown in intensity and strength. They are quite severe, now. Attempting to pilot a shuttle to the surface would be dangerous, sir.”

    Picard took this in and reconsidered. “Suggestions, anyone?” he asked after turning the situation over in his mind. No one offered up any ideas. “Well, then, I suppose we’ll just have to wait this one out.”

  • Return to Normal – Chapter 4

    Captain Picard sat at the head of the table in the observation lounge with his senior staff seated around him. Dani and both of the Qs were also present.

    “Absolutely not,” Picard said staunchly. “I refuse to let my ship be used as some sort of playground for the Q.”

    “Picard, be reasonable,” the elder Q said in his gently pleading tone. “All I’m attempting to do is instill my son with as comprehensive a look at humanity as possible. I want him to get as accurate a look at humans as he can. Is that so wrong?”

    Will cast a wary glance at the captain.

    “But why this ship?” Picard asked.

    “Mon Capitan,” Q elder began again, “you, among all people, should recognize that each ship, each crew, is unique. One cannot be expected to generate a fair concept of humanity after only experiencing life aboard one ship – a ship that, might I add, was thousands of light years away from home. You must agree that Enterprise’s situation and the large size of her crew makes her much more ideal for studying interactions between people.”

    “He does have a point there, sir,” Geordi admitted.

    Picard looked around at his staff and mentally turned over the prospect of actually allowing a Q onboard. He leaned back in his seat and tugged at his uniform tunic. “Just how long would this lesson in humanity take?”

    “One week,” Q replied quickly.

    Picard thought it over. There was no telling what kind of trickery Q was up to. This could be some elaborate ruse, which it more than likely was. He looked at Dani. He also had to consider what had happened on Voyager. That time, Q had been sincere in his intentions, and Voyager had come out with little more than a few frazzled nerves. Q could be telling the truth. Thinking back, Picard remembered that there had been a few instances when Q had been sincere, and everyone had benefited from his presence.

    Picard leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table as he made his decision. “My ship will, under no circumstances, be turned into a circus,” Picard directed to Q.

    “Q will not have his powers while onboard,” Q senior assured. “I give you my word.” Picard shot Q a dismal look.

    “Captain, you won’t regret this,” Q2 said cheerfully. “I promise.”

    “Let’s hope you’re right,” Picard said.

    “Wonderful!” Q exclaimed. “Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I’ve got some errands to run. Good day, everyone. Son, I’ll see you in a week.”

    “Wait – Q!” Picard began, but he was too late. Before the words were even out of his mouth, Q was gone in his customary flash of light.

    “So,” Q2 said, beaming, “where do I sleep?”

    xxx

    “Cousin, I’m so glad we have this opportunity to see each other again,” Q said. He and Dani were walking to the guest quarters he’d been assigned to for the duration of his stay on the Enterprise.

    “I don’t know if I can say the same, Q,” Dani said. “I’m still really peeved about you and your father peeping on me and Will.

    “Hey, it was my father’s idea,” Q explained. “I didn’t know he was going to bring me here, and I didn’t know he was going to spy on you. Besides, he doesn’t see it as spying. He even brought your mother-“

    “My mother?!” Dani stopped walking and glared at Q. “Do not tell me my mother was in that room, Q. Don’t tell me she saw me and Will…together.”

    “Well, she did,” Q said.

    “Oh, my gods,” Dani said, resuming her walk to Q’s guest quarters. “You brought my mother to spy on me.”

    “No. I didn’t bring her here, my father did,” Q corrected. “Plus, I already told you, he doesn’t see it as spying.”

    “I know. To him, it’s an ‘educational experience’,” Dani said, repeating the elder Q’s excuse. “That still doesn’t make it right.” Dani and Q stopped walking in front of a set of doors. “This is it,” she said. She entered a code on the key pad next to the door, which released the locking mechanism and allowed them entry. The doors slid open, and Dani and Q walked in.

    “Will this do?” Dani asked.

    “I suppose it’ll have to,” Q said. “I’ll have to get used to sleeping again. Without my powers, I’m subject to the limitations of humanity.”

    “Poor you,” Dani dead-panned.

    “It’s not all bad, though. It means I get to try this sex thing all you humans are raving about.”

    Dani regarded Q like a child who didn’t know what he was getting himself into. He was obviously eager to learn more about the subject of sex, but Dani knew he hadn’t the first inkling of what it was really all about.

    “Q,” she began, “there’s a lot you don’t know about sex.” This was becoming a little awkward for Dani. She felt like she was talking to the little brother she never had, trying to educate him about the ways of the universe. In reality, this “little brother” had probably seen more and done more than she would ever dream of. She continued. “It’s not like something as simple as eating or sleeping. It can get complicated.”

    “You can teach me,” Q said eagerly, stepping to Dani.

    “Whoa,” she said taking a step back.

    “What’s the matter?”

    “I can’t teach you what you want to know.”

    “Why not? You did it with Commander Riker, and he’s almost an ape. I’m sure you and I would be more than compatible.”

    Dani sighed. Q’s father had obviously been influencing Q’s opinions of Will, but she let it slide. “Q,” she said, leading him to the couch. They sat. “A lot of times two people who have sex are in a relationship with each other. Most times, in this relationship, the two people involved sort of mutually agree to only have sex with each other and nobody else while they’re a couple. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

    Q looked thoughtful for a moment. “So, you’re saying we can’t have sex because you and Commander Riker are a couple.”

    “Right.” Dani was beginning to think that explaining this might not be so difficult after all. This was a Q she was talking to. The Q aren’t exactly what one would call dunces.

    “Well, are there people who aren’t couples who have sex?” Q asked.

    “Yes…”

    “Are there some couples who aren’t exclusive to one another?”

    Dani could see where this was headed. “Some,” Dani admitted slowly, “but it’s not exactly looked upon as being a good thing. It’s actually kind of bad. It’s really bad, depending on who you talk to. It’s called cheating.”

    “Cheating?” Q asked. “I wasn’t aware this was some sort of game.”

    “It isn’t. It’s just a word that people decided could be used in more than one context. It fits the situation. If it’s been agreed upon that you’re only supposed to be with one partner, and you have two, it’s wrong.”

    “Oh. Well, it seems to me that if both parties want to stray, it shouldn’t be considered cheating,” Q countered.

    Dani sighed. “In some cases it’s not. But that’s kind of rare. There are a few cases, though, such as the one in your example. I told you this could get complicated.”

    “Right, which is why we should have just gone with my first suggestion.” Q moved in to steal a kiss from Dani, who immediately rose and walked to the other side of the room.

    “No, Q, I’m not going to be your partner,” she said sternly. “Why can’t you just do this with one of the females from the Continuum?”

    Q sat back on the sofa and thought for a moment. “I’ve never thought about that. Maybe…”

    “Good.” Dani was relieved. She only hoped that Q was going to give this sex thing a rest for good – at least for the duration of his time aboard the Enterprise. “Are you hungry?” she asked him. Dani’s stomach was reminding her that she hadn’t finished her dinner and that it might be a good idea to get something to eat.

    Q had to contemplate for a minute on whether he was hungry or not. “I think I am,” was his answer to Dani’s inquiry. “My stomach is rumbling.”

    “You’re hungry. Come on – I’ll show you to Ten-Forward so we can catch a late dinner. I didn’t eat much the first time I had dinner today.”

    “I know,” Q quipped.

    Xxx

    Dani and Q walked into Ten-Forward at about 2100 hours. It wasn’t too crowded, but there were a good number of people in the room. Dani spotted Will sitting at a table with Deanna. Dani and Q walked over to the two.

    “Mind if we join you?” Dani asked.

    Will looked up. A little smile spread through his beard. “Not at all,” he said. “Please do.” Dani sat down next to Will, Q next to Deanna.

    “Q, this is Counselor Deanna Troi and Commander Will Riker,” Dani introduced. “Will, Deanna – Q.”

    “Well, it’s nice to have been formally introduced,” Will said, hinting at the evening’s earlier incident with a bit of obvious displeasure.

    “Nice to meet you, Q,” Deanna said with a warm, friendly smile. “How do you like your quarters?”

    “It’s going to take some getting use to,” Q said. “I don’t usually sleep.”

    “Well, then this should be quite and experience for you.”

    “I’m hoping it will be.” Q studied the woman who’d been introduced to him as Troi. She was quite attractive, by human standards, and she was very polite.

    A waiter walked over to the table and took Will and Dani’s orders.

    “What would you like, sir?” the waiter asked Q. Q looked from Will to Deanna to Dani. “What should I get?” he asked them.

    “Hmm…” Dani searched her mind, trying to think of the perfect meal choice for a Q. It wasn’t often that she had to pick out a meal for someone who probably hadn’t eaten in years. It was a more daunting task than would be initially thought. “Well, pasta’s always a good choice. How about a plate of fettucini alfredo?”

    “You’re the ones who do this everyday, so, whatever you say,” Q said. He looked up at the waiter. “What she said.” The waiter nodded and walked off to retrieve their meals.

    “One of the joys of being human is eating,” Deanna commented. “Given the choice between eating and receiving all my nutrition via other faster, more efficient methods, I ‘d choose eating any day.”

    “I agree,” Will said. “Although, for me, preparing the meal is also a big part of the draw.”

    “Replicating it?” Q asked.

    “Cooking it,” Will clarified.

    “Cooking? I always thought that was considered a primitive waste of time among humans.”

    “For some, it is,” Dani said, “but those are the ones who’ve never had a real home – cooked meal before. Ask anyone whose ever had real fruit and replicated fruit which is better. The real fruit wins everytime, hands down.”

    Will added, “The replicator’s a nice convenience, but nothing beats the real thing.”

    The waiter returned with the table’s orders. He placed an omlette in front of Will, a bowl of vegetable beef soup in front of Dani, a plate of fettucini alfredo in front of Q, and an ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce in front of Deanna.

    Q looked curiously at the plate of pasta before him.

    “Go ahead-” Dani urged, “-dig in.”

    Q awkwardly picked up his fork. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this,” he said. He turned to Dani. “What if I don’t like it?”

    “It’s no big deal,” Dani assured him. “If you don’t like it, we’ll just have the waiter take it away, and he’ll put it in the recycler. No love lost there.” She gave Q an encouraging smile. “But you’ll never know if you like it or not until you try it.”

    Q looked back down at the pile of sauce-covered pasta. He timidly immersed his fork in it and brought it out covered in the stuff. He opened his mouth, shoved the pasta-loaded fork in, and chewed. He realized that, although the food had a slimy texture, it was quite good. It didn’t require much chewing at all and was very easy to eat. He looked at his table mates to find that they were all staring at him in anticipation, as if they’d themselves cooked the meal and were now awaiting his approval.

    “This is absolutely…” Q had to search for the right word. He wasn’t quite sure how to describe this sensation. Then it came to him. “…Delicious.”

    Deanna, Will, and Dani smiled and looked at one another. Now, they could commence with eating their own meals. Will cut a square out of his omlette and shoved it into his mouth. Dani sampled a spoonful of her soup. And Deanna scooped a spoonful of her sundae into her mouth.

    “So, Counselor,” Q said, his mouth full of pasta, “have you ever had sex?”

    Will choked on his omlette. Dani nearly spit out her soup. Deanna seemed to retain her composure. She calmly swallowed the spoonful of sundae that’d been on her tongue. “That’s an interesting question, Q,” she said.

    Dani and Will looked at each other. They both felt like parents whose child had just said something he wasn’t supposed to say.

    Xxx

    “I can’t believe he asked her that,” Dani said. “I mean, we’d just finished discussing how it’s an intimate act between two people. I thought it was over. I’m so embarrassed.”

    “Why should you be embarrassed?” Will asked. The two were back in her quarters. It was approximately 2230 hours the same night.

    “Because…” Dani began, but found that she couldn’t spit out an answer. Why was she embarrassed by Q’s actions and words? She chuckled and sat down on the couch. “I don’t know. I don’t have any logical reason to be embarrassed by Q. We’re not related, not biologically, anyway. I didn’t bring him onboard. I’m not responsible for him while he’s here. I’m not his caretaker.”

    Will sat down beside Dani on the couch. “Look, it probably has something to do with the fact that you met Q before anyone else here did. You’re probably feeling like you’re responsible for his being here, which is completely absurd. Besides, and I can’t even believe I’m saying this, maybe Q is only here to learn about human relationships. There’s no guarantee that he’s going to cause any trouble.”

    “Yeah,” Dani acquiesced. “Maybe I’m just jumping to conclusions.” She turned to Will. “Are you the assistant counselor or something? When did you start handing out consolation like that?”

    Will shrugged. “Tonight,” he said.

    Dani sighed. “What a first day,” she said, leaning back. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a first day with this much activity.”

    “Me either.” He leaned back and rested on the sofa as well. “It wasn’t all bad, though.” He looked at Dani. “Was it? I seem to remember that right before this whole Q mess started, we were having quite a good time.” He smiled.

    “Yes, it was okay,” Dani said dismissively.

    Will’s expression fell. “Just okay?”

    “There’s something else I didn’t tell you about our run-in with Q,” Dani said, ignoring Will’s question.

    “What more could there possibly be?”

    “Q wants to experience life,” Dani said.

    Will regarded her quizzically. “He has been relieved of his powers. I don’t know how much closer to human he could get.”

    Dani sighed. Will didn’t understand. Dani would have to do a little explaining on this subject. “He wants to experience all the aspects of life.” She looked into Will’s face, but only saw more confusion. She sighed and finally said, “He wants to have sex with someone. That’s why he asked Deanna what he did. He would have asked her to be his partner if I hadn’t told him he was tired.”

    “Oh, great,” Will sighed. “Just what we need-a horny Q onboard.” He rested his forehead in his hand. He could feel a headache forming at the prospect of having to deal with the ramifications of Q sewing his wild oats with the female crew. “I’m just glad he didn’t have enough experience at being human, yet, to know that he wasn’t really tired.”

    “He wanted me to be his partner,” Dani revealed.

    Will looked at Dani, surprise written all over his face. “You said no, didn’t you?” he asked.

    “Of course I did. Do you know how weird that would be? He’s supposed to be my cousin. Even if it isn’t by blood, it’s still…” Dani shivered. “Besides, mating with the Q is not exactly high on my list of things to do.”

    “Good thing I’m not a Q,” Will said, his mood becoming more serene.

    Dani looked at him. “It sure is,” she said moving closer to him. “Because I would never do this to a Q.” She kissed him on one cheek. “Or this.” She kissed him on the other cheek. “Or this.” She delivered a generous kiss to his lips. “Or this…” she said, as she began to unzip the front of his uniform.

  • Return to Normal – Chapter 1

    Story #5 in the “More Than a Lifetime” series

    Author’s Note: This story is the fifth in a series of stories that do not follow cannon and should not be taken as such. The previous stories, in order, are: 1) Delta Wild, 2) Homecoming, 3) Graduation, and 4) A Love Less Ordinary. The events in these stories occur in an alternate universe in which Chakotay’s stint with the Maquis happened much earlier in his life. He is married to Kathryn Janeway, and they have a daughter. In this universe, Voyager did not combine with a crew from a Maquis ship, but instead reached the Delta Quadrant with a small loss of life and most of her crew in tact. The events of “First Contact” and “Insurrection” have already occurred in this timeline, but “Nemesis” has not. The Dominion War occurred, but with vastly different results. Many of the events of the final season of Deep Space Nine didn’t occur, which means the characters that died during the season are not dead in my story.

    Chapter 1

    The turbolift halted, and the doors opened, revealing ship’s counselor Deanna Troi, who had been waiting patiently for the lift to arrive.

    “Goodmorning, Deanna,” said Will Riker, who was already occupying the lift..

    “Will – goodmorning,” Troi said, stepping into the lift and joining the commander. “You’re just the person I wanted to see.”

    “Really?” Will asked. The lift doors slid shut, and Deanna instructed it to go to the bridge, Will’s destination as well. “What can I do for you?” Will asked.

    “Well, it’s about Dani,” Deanna revealed, with some degree of caution in her voice.

    “What about her?” Will inquired, caution creeping into his own voice.

    “I’ve been fielding some concerns about her serving aboard the Enterprise,” Deanna said.

    Will looked at her, puzzled. Why would anyone be concerned about Dani Janeway, Will wondered silently. He already knew the answer, though. He didn’t even know why he was trying to pretend like he didn’t. He had a feeling he knew the exact words that were going to come from the counselor’s lips.

    Deanna continued, answering Will’s unasked question. “People are concerned about her relationship with Dukat.”

    “She no longer has a relationship with Dukat,” Will said, immediately tensing at the subject of conversation. He knew it. Dani’s relationship – former relationship – with the infamous Cardassian was going to be a hot topic for weeks, perhaps months, to come. It had all ended almost a year ago, with the execution of the former gul by the Romulans, and Dani had moved on, apparently. She and Will had resumed their romantic relationship three months ago during one of his visits to Deep Space Nine. They were together again, just like the old days. Despite the fact that Dani was leaving DS9 having served Starfleet to the best of her abilities, and one rank higher to show for it, he and Dani both knew that her past relationship with Dukat would be all that a lot of people saw for a long time to come. It wasn’t something that was just going to go away. That much was obvious, given the fact that Dukat had died almost a year ago, and people were still talking about him and Dani.

    Deanna had expected the automatic defense that Will projected regarding Dani, and she understood his need to do so. But it didn’t change the fact that there were people on board the Enterprise who didn’t want Dani there. “Regardless, they’re questioning her loyalty to Starfleet,” she said.

    “That’s absurd,” Will said. “Dani’s as true to Starfleet and the Federation as you and I are.”

    “I know that, but many don’t.” Deanna didn’t like being the bearer of a lot of unpleasant news, especially on a day when she knew Will was excited, but there was more that he needed to be aware of concerning the crew’s attitude toward Dani Janeway. “People are also concerned that she’s going to be on the receiving end of some special treatment,” Deanna added hesitantly.

    “Special treatment?” Will couldn’t believe his ears. “Computer, halt turbolift.” The lift came to a complete stop. Will turned to Deanna. It wasn’t enough that Dani would have to deal with the backlash of her relationship with Dukat, was it? She would also have to deal with the backlash of being her. He didn’t know why it was so hard for people to accept that the daughter of Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay could come up through the ranks and prosper without the help of “connections”. “Who exactly has been coming to you with these ‘concerns’?” Will asked. It came out more harshly than he’d intended, especially since he knew Deanna was only doing her job by informing him. He knew she hated it as much as he did. She knew Dani, too.

    “A significant number of officers,” was Deanna’s calm reply. “There are a lot of people who don’t want Dani on this ship, Will.”

    Hearing her say the words Will had known were true was hard. How could people hate so much the woman he’d come to adore? He merely turned to the turbolift doors and said, “That’s unfortunate.” Dani didn’t deserve this kind of reception, he thought. All she’d ever wanted to do was be a good officer. “They don’t even know her,” Will said quietly. “But I don’t have time to go and personally talk to every officer on this ship who has a problem with Dani Janeway.”

    “I’m well aware of that,” Deanna said. She understood perfectly Will’s sentiments, and she thought he was well justified in feeling the way he did. But he did have a job to do here, as she did. In coming to him, she had hoped that this would aid him in his tasks as first officer. She continued. “But as the ship’s first officer, personnel matters do fall into your duties. I’m asking you to talk with the department heads and ask that they not give any special treatment to anyone.”

    “None of them would ever do that,” Will defended.

    “I know, but it would put a lot of people at ease if you talked to them.”

    Will considered the proposition. He had to admit he had thought of the possibility of personnel problems concerning Dani. He’d even submitted to the fact that those problems weren’t just possibilities; they were likelihoods. He just didn’t want to believe it. He acquiesced and nodded in response to Deanna’s suggestion. Calmer, he said, “Perhaps it couldn’t hurt. Computer-“

    “It would also be a good idea if you treated Dani like you would treat any other junior officer while you’re on duty,” Troi interrupted.

    “Of course,” Will said, bristling at the silent implication that he would ever act in such an unprofessional manner. Deanna picked up on it.

    “Will, I’m not suggesting that you would behave otherwise,” Deanna was sure to add. “It’s just a reminder.”

    “I know,” Will said genuinely with a sigh. He was getting all worked up over this, and Dani wasn’t even on board yet. Deanna was just trying to help, and he was snapping at her like she was to blame for all that she’d told him. “I appreciate it,” Will said sincerely, thanking the counselor for her help. “Computer, resume.” The turbolift began its ascent once again.

    “I just didn’t realize the effect having Dani aboard would create,” Will continued. “I’ve been aware of how we should both behave on duty. And I knew a few people would have some qualms with her because of Dukat and her relationship with me, but is it really that many?”

    “I wouldn’t have come to you if it were only a few people who had expressed concerns,” Deanna said.

    The turbolift came to a halt again, this time at its destination – the bridge. The doors slid open, and Will and Deanna glided onto the bridge. Data, who had been in command, stood from the captain’s chair and relinquished control to Will.

    “We have arrived at Deep Space Nine,” Data reported.

    “Thank you, Mr. Data,” Will said. “On screen.” A visual of the space station Deep Space Nine appeared on the view screen at the head of the bridge. Will tapped his comm badge. “Bridge to Captain Picard,” Will began, “We’ve arrived at Deep Space Nine.”

    “Very well, then, Number One,” Picard’s voice sounded through the badge.

    A few moments later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard emerged from his ready room adjacent to the bridge. His sight went directly to the view screen.

    “Captain, Colonel Kira is hailing us,” the communications/tactical officer reported.

    “Put her through,” Picard instructed. The viewscreen image of the space station was immediately replaced by that of Colonel Kira Nerys. “Colonel,” Picard greeted.

    “Captain Picard,” Kira said, “How good it is to see you again.”

    “It is good to see you as well,” Picard said. “How are things on the station?”

    “Things are running quite smoothly, fortunately,” Kira informed him. “Captain Bunche sends his regards. He regrets that he won’t be in attendance at the reception this evening. He was called away on official business. I’m sure you understand.”

    “All too well, Colonel,” Picard responded. He had been looking forward to talking with Captain Bunche again. They shared an interest in archeology, which made for wonderful conversations. He’d gotten to know Bunch much better than Ben Sisko, DS9’s former captain, who had taken a leave of absence to spend time on Bajor. The Dominion War hadn’t afforded Sisko or Picard the opportunity to become friendly with one another. War had a habit of doing that.

    Picard continued. “I understand we are to be taking on a former crewmember of yours.”

    “Ah, yes,” Kira said, “Lt. Janeway. I must say I’m sorry to see her leave. She’s become a valued member of the DS9 crew. We’ll miss her.” It was true. Despite Dani’s connection to Dukat, Kira had grown very fond of the young woman. She was a hard worker, a good officer. She would make a good addition to the Enterprise team. “She should be arriving shortly,” Kira said.

    “Captain,” the comm/tactical officer began, “Lt. Janeway’s shuttle has just docked in shuttlebay two.”

    “Thank you, Lt.,” Picard said, directing his attention back to the colonel. “I’ve just been informed that my new officer has arrived. If you’ll excuse me, Colonel, I’m going to go greet her.”

    “By all means, Captain,” Kira said. “I look forward to seeing you at the reception this evening.”

    “And I, you,” Picard said.

    Kira smiled warmly. “Kira out.” The communication was terminated, and Kira’s image was replaced by the image Deep Space Nine.

    Picard looked at Will and Deanna. The three filed off the bridge into the waiting turbolift.

    “I imagine this particular occasion must be a joyous one for you, Will,” Picard said, once the lift doors had closed.

    Will smiled, not even attempting to hide it. “Yes, sir. It is,” he said. Despite his earlier conversation with Deanna, he was still excited about Dani’s arrival. “It’s very fortunate for the Enterprise that Lt. Janeway will be joining the crew. She’s a valuable asset that any captain would be proud to have serving on his ship.”

    “Oh, yes,” Picard replied. “She graduated at the top of her class at the Academy and completed command school. And she’s matured into an excellent officer.”

    “That she has, sir,” Will agreed.

    The turbolift continued for a few moments before coming to a halt. When the doors opened, Troi, Riker, and Picard stepped out, walked down the corridor and into shuttlebay two.

    Will waited anxiously as the shuttle hatch opened. He noticed that his heart rate had risen, as had his body temperature. His palms were also sweaty. He had already begun to wipe them on his uniform when he realized that Deanna was looking at him. She could probably sense how he was feeling, although she didn’t say anything.

    Will turned his attention back to the shuttle, and there she was. She was just as beautiful as the last time he’d seen her, if not more so, and one rank higher. Her eyes rested on him briefly before falling on the captain.

    “Permission to come aboard, Captain,” she requested.

    “Permission granted, Lt.,” Picard said. Lt. Danielle Janeway stepped off the shuttle gangplank and onto the deck of the U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-E. Picard stepped forward with his hand extended. Dani stepped forward as well and met him, shaking the captain’s hand. “Welcome aboard,” he said.

    “Thank you, Captain,” Dani said.

    “It’s good to have you back on board the Enterprise,” Picard said.

    “It’s good to be back on board, sir,” Dani replied.

    “How are your parents?” Picard inquired. It had been a while since he’d last seen Admiral Janeway and Captain Chakotay.

    “They’re well. My father is enjoying his teaching post at the Academy, and my mother is keeping busy at headquarters.”

    “Very good.”

    “Welcome aboard, Dani,” Deanna said warmly.

    “Thank you, Counselor,” Dani said.

    “Hello,” Will said.

    “Hello,” Dani said, looking up at Will, briefly. She couldn’t afford to gaze at him to long. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to look away.

    “The commander will be showing you to your quarters,” Picard said. “It’s good to see you again, Dani.” He turned to Will. “I’ll be on the bridge.”

    “Aye, sir,” Will said, as the captain left the shuttle bay. He turned his attention back to Dani. “If you’ll follow me.” Will, Deanna, and Dani left the shuttle bay. None of them said very much during the journey to Dani’s quarters, probably because of the awkward situation the three of them were in. A man, his ex-lover, and his current lover – and all of them officers serving on the same ship in positions where they would all inevitably interact with each other. Despite the friendly smiles they sported, one didn’t have to be an empath to sense the tension and uneasiness surrounding the three officers. When they reached their destination, the tension wasn’t lifted.

    “Well, this is it,” Will said casually as the three of them walked in. “I hope it’s to your liking.”

    “Oh, yes. Definitely,” Dani said, looking around the living room area.

    “I know it’s not the lap of Cardassian luxury you’re used to,” Will said.

    “Believe me, I think I can adjust,” Dani assured him. “It’ll be nice to get back to a real bed for a change. I’d had about all I could take of those hard Cardassian excuses for beds.”

    A long, awkward, silent moment followed. No one knew what to say next. Finally, Deanna spoke up.

    “I’d better get going,” she said. “I’ve got to see how things are looking for tonight.”

    “Right,” Will said. Deanna nodded to them both before exiting. Will and Dani looked across the room at each other. They walked to each other and embraced.

    “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do that,” Will said.

    “I bet I do,” said Dani.

    “I wanted to gather you into my arms when you first stepped out of the shuttle.” He looked at her. “But with the captain there. And Deanna…” Dani reached up and pulled Will’s head to her own. Her lips met his for the first time in months. When she pulled away, she expected him to pursue her and was surprised when he didn’t.

    “You haven’t seen me in three months, and all you want is one kiss?” Dani asked. She had to admit, she was somewhat confused.

    “I don’t think I can afford any more right now,” Will said, a hint of a smile on his face.

    “Affordability was never a factor before,” Dani pointed out, raising one eyebrow.

    “If I get involved now, I’m not going to want to leave for the rest of the day, and I am currently on duty. And tonight, we’re holding a reception and dinner for some of the admirals tonight.”

    “That sounds like fun,” Dani said, lacking enthusiasm.

    “The captain would like for you to be in attendance,” Will informed her.

    “Me?” Dani certainly wasn’t anyone important enough that her presence would be missed at a reception for admirals. Was she? “Why?”

    Will was surprised that she didn’t know. “Well, you’re only one of the most talked-about officers in the ‘Fleet,” he said.

    Dani was suddenly aware. “That was almost a year ago,” she said of her relationship with Dukat. Most of her colleagues on DS9 didn’t talk about what had happened between her and Dukat. Because she no longer heard anything about the whole subject, she assumed others on other ships had put it to rest, as well. She was wrong. “I thought everyone would be over that by now. I am.”

    “Captain Picard and Colonel Kira just want to show everyone what kind of officer you really are,” Will said, trying to justify everything. “He wants to give who ever wants it a chance to talk to you personally.”

    Dani stepped away from Will. She didn’t want to be hearing what she was hearing. “I can’t believe this. You’re telling me the whole purpose of this reception is to put me on display?”

    “No, that’s not the purpose of it at all. It’s just a get-together for the admirals. But the captain and Deanna both thought it would be a good idea. It would kind of serve as another opportunity for you to clear your name. Frankly, I think it’s a good idea, too.”

    “Why didn’t anyone discuss this with me?” Dani asked. While she, too, believed this was a good idea, she was a little upset that the decision to go along with it had been made without her consent.

    “That was inconsiderate of us. On the behalf of all of us, I apologize. But, Dani, you’ve got to realize what a good opportunity this is for you to explain your side of things.”

    “I do realize the opportunity. That’s why I’m not madder than I am. What time should I be there?”

    “The reception starts at 1800 hours.”

    “And I was so looking forward to getting re-acquainted with you,” Dani said regretfully.

    Will took her hand and pulled her to him. “We can still do that,” he assured her.

    “Tonight?” Dani asked hopefully.

    Will shook his head regrettably and said, “No, I don’t think so. We don’t know what time this is going to be over with, and I have an early shift tomorrow.” He kissed her. “And so do you.”

    Dani looked up at Will’s neatly-bearded face and could tell he wasn’t joking about the shift.

    “See you tonight,” Will said, this time kissing Dani on the cheek instead of the lips. He walked to the door and said “Dress uniform,” before walking out.

    “I hate those things,” Dani said once she was alone.